Coastal Orange County is spoiled when it comes to seafood. From ocean-view classics to modern dining rooms with a refined edge, these restaurants are where style and flavor meet. Here are seven of the best places to indulge in fresh catches and ocean views.
1. Chart House – Dana Point
Perched on the bluffs above Dana Point Harbor, Chart House is as much about the panoramic ocean views as the seafood itself. Signature dishes like macadamia-crusted mahi and ahi nachos make it a go-to for date nights and celebratory dinners.
2. Rusty Pelican – Newport Beach
A Newport classic, the Rusty Pelican blends casual elegance with a menu stacked with local favorites. From cedar-plank salmon to daily fresh-catch specials, it’s the kind of place that’s been woven into OC dining culture for decades.
3. Bluewater Grill – Newport Beach
Dock-to-dish dining is the ethos at Bluewater Grill, where fresh, sustainable seafood arrives straight from local fishermen. The oyster bar is a staple, and the seasonal specials—like cioppino and swordfish—make it a year-round favorite
4. Driftwood Kitchen – Laguna Beach
Just steps from the sand, Driftwood Kitchen combines modern coastal design with an inventive menu. Try their Chilean sea bass, lobster mac, or tuna poke, then watch the sunset melt into the Pacific from your table.
5. Glasspar – Dana Point
This modern seafood hall reimagines the traditional fish house with sleek interiors, an open oyster bar, and a killer craft cocktail list. Their seasonal whole-fish dishes and indulgent clam chowder put Glasspar on the map as one of OC’s most exciting seafood destinations.
6. Mastro’s Ocean Club – Newport Beach
For when only the best will do, Mastro’s Ocean Club delivers with its signature butter-topped filets, Alaskan king crab, and a seafood tower that’s practically an OC status symbol. It’s polished, lively, and consistently unforgettable.
